Salesian Spirituality

I have wished to engrave and inscribe on your heart this holy, sacred maxim, LIVE JESUS. ~ St. Francis deSales

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish has been blessed with the
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales whose spiritual tradition and purpose is spreading the spirituality of "the Gentleman Saint," St. Francis de Sales. This page’s purpose, and to some
extent this entire website, is to provide a glimpse into a spirituality that was developed specifically for lay people,
people leading very busy lives.

Flowing from Francis’ many letters of spiritual direction, his
Introduction to the Devout Lifeand his
Treatise on the Love of God, comes the very clear message that we are all called to holiness, whether we are an
auto mechanic, a police officer, a politician, a nurse, a teacher, whether we are single, married, ordained, or living a
consecrated life.

There are many ways to introduce the Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, known as Salesian Spirituality, but we have
chosen a simple way with the hope that you will be moved by, inspired by, and drawn to his spirituality by one or more of
his down-to-earth, psychologically and spiritually sound, sayings, quotes, and pieces of advice that fill his writings
and find expression on this page and on other pages of this website.

Please take advantage of these resources as well as those
of our priests and your fellow parishioners who may be able to tell you, from their own experience of this Spirituality,
the value it has had for them.

We are “on the road” together, growing in faith, to help & support each other on the journey

This year's 15th Annual Live Jesus! theme is "Be not afraid...learn from Me" and will take place at OLGC on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

It will be a Lenten morning of prayer and reflection on Salesian Spirituality right here at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. A continental breakfast will be served beginning at 8am followed at 9am by presenters Rev. David A. Kenehan, OSFS, and Rev. Mark A. Hushen, OSFS. The morning will close with Mass. Dismissal will be at 12:45pm.

2018 also marks the 15th anniversary of this event, which has grown over the years and drawn increasingly larger numbers of attendees. It's truly inspirational to be among more than 800 people gathered in a worship space for a few hours to be nourished by the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. If you haven't attended previously, please consider being part of the group on March 10.

In these uncertain times many of us struggle with doubts and fears, perhaps forgetting the comfort Jesus offers us not only when the seas are stormy but in every moment of our lives.

Watch the Presentations from 14th Annual Live Jesus!

The 14th Annual Live Jesus! morning of recollection was held at St. John Neumann Church on Saturday, March 18, 2017. More than 800 disciples gathered to share faith, fellowship, and prayer as they were inspired to live Jesus, in the example of Sts. Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal.

Make a fresh start each day. There is no better way of growing in the spiritual life than to be always starting over again.

The opportunity of doing great things does not come very often, but at every moment, we can do little acts with great love.

Well, here we are, fallen into the ditch which we had made so firm a resolution to avoid. Get up! Leave it. Keep going! Have courage

Do not worry about what might happen tomorrow; the same loving Father who takes care of you today, will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering, or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

Do not look at the dangers you see in the distance. They look like armies, but they are only willow branches; and while you are looking at them, you may make a false step. Think only of living today well.

When you come before the Lord, talk to him if you can; if you can’t, just stay there, let yourself be seen, and don’t try too hard to do anything else.

Keep in mind the words he left us so that we would never forget it and could repeat it a hundred times a day: “Learn of me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.”

Never go out in the morning without carrying in your heart the good resolutions you have made before God, or retire in the evening without examining how well you carried them out.

A good vocation is simply a firm and constant will to serve God in the way and places the Almighty God has called him.

Do not wish to be anything save what you are and strive to be that perfectly.

The state of marriage is one which requires more virtue and self-sacrifice than any other. Husbands, preserve a tender, constant heartfelt love for your wives; and wives, have a tender and affectionate reverence and respect for your husbands.

Those who are in the world need friendships in order to secure and assist one another amid the many dangerous passages through which they must pass.

It is not by the multiplicity of things we do that we will attain perfection, but by the purity of intention with which we do them.

Perfection does not consist in being perfect – or in acting perfect. The striving is important.

Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing is so gentle as real strength.

When you are guilty of an act of anger, repair the fault immediately by an act of kindness and meekness. Fresh wounds are more easily cured.

You can catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a barrel of vinegar.

Have patience with everyone, but especially with yourself.

Great designs are accomplished only by patience and the passage of time.

We must strive to love everyone equally since Our Lord did not say: “Love those who are virtuous,” but said: “Love one another as I have loved you,” without excluding anyone, imperfect though they may be.

No matter what course a ship may take, no matter whether it sails to the east, west, north or south, no matter what wind drives it, the mariner’s needle never points in any direction except toward the fair polar star. Often we may be in confusion, our soul overwhelmed, but, through it all, ever and always our spirit, which is our compass needle, will tend unceasingly toward God.

One single Our Father said with feeling has greater worth than many said quickly and in haste.

Worry prevents us from doing well the very things about which we are worried.

Let the waves roar, let the wind blow, let the world turn upside-down, let everything be in darkness, in smoke, in uproar. Nothing can hurt you – God is near.

One kind word wins more willing service than a hundred harsh orders or stern reproofs.

You are a child of Jesus Christ crucified. Why, then, should you wonder if you are called upon to share His cross?